Tensions over the Black Sea amid war in Ukraine. The US military announced that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet hit a US Reaper drone on Tuesday, March 14, over the Black Sea. A White House spokesman denounced the “reckless” act of the Russians, who deny causing the bomb to fall.
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“Our MQ-9 was performing routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and rammed by a Russian aircraft, resulting in the crash and loss of the MQ-9.”General James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Europe and Africa.
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“It is a dangerous and unprofessional act on the part of the Russians that almost caused the two planes to crash.”He added, referring to this incident in an area that NATO has been watching closely since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The American statement confirms the information published by Agence France-Presse earlier about an accident involving a US-made drone in the Black Sea. “US and allied drones will continue to operate in international airspace and we call on the Russians to act professionally.”he added.
Summoned the Russian ambassador in Washington
John Kirby, a spokesman for the US Executive’s National Security Council, noted that it was not “It is unusual for Russian planes to intercept American planes over the Black Sea” And it happened “these past weeks”pointed out.
” but [cette interception] Remarkable because it was dangerous, unprofessional, reckless in fact, and because it caused the loss of our device.”, did he say. that it ” First time “ He said that such an interception led to an American plane crashing into the sea.
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The spokesperson confirmed that US President Joe Biden was briefed in detail in the morning. The US State Department has it “Intention to contact Russian officials and inform them of our concerns directly.”John Kirby said again. The United States immediately announced that it had summoned the Russian ambassador in Washington to the State Department to inform him of its “strong objection” after the incident.
If the message [les Russes] You want to send it to deter us from flying and operating in international airspace over the Black Sea, this message will be a failure, because it will not happen.He said. “The Black Sea does not belong to anyone, and we will continue to do what is necessary to ensure our national security in this part of the world.”The spokesperson insisted.
For its part, the Russian army admitted that two of its fighters intercepted an American drone in the Black Sea, but confirmed that they did not hit it and did not cause it to crash. After a brutal maneuver […] The MQ-9 drone began an uncontrolled flight with a loss of altitude and hit the water surface »The Russian Defense Ministry said, explaining that the two hunters did not shoot and did not have any ” communication “ with the drone.
Activating diplomatic channels between Washington and Moscow
According to a NATO official, US General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SASUR), briefed the allies. According to a Western military source who spoke on condition of anonymity, diplomatic channels between Washington and Moscow will be activated to avoid any escalation.
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The skies over the Black Sea are the scene of very regular interactions between drones and aircraft from NATO countries and the Russian armed forces.
The Reaper drone, manufactured by the American company General Atomics, is a remotely piloted aircraft of the type MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance), equipped with ultra-modern onboard sensors (photoball and radar) to carry out surveillance operations at cruising speed 335 how many hours.
With a wingspan of 20 metres, it can sustain over 24 hours of flight.
